DATE: May 10th, 2002

TO: All SGI-USA Members

FROM: SGI-USA Reform Movement

SUBJECT: Declaration


SGI-USA REFORM MOVEMENT

DECLARATION

The supporters of this Declaration are a group of SGI-USA members. We
support the evolution of Nichiren Buddhism into a form compatible
with American ideals and modern times. These include compassion
toward all, anger toward none, and respect for individuals in their
efforts toward spiritual growth.

We have become increasingly concerned with the direction in which SGI-
USA is heading, especially since the split with Nichiren Shoshu in
1990. We believe that the problems within SGI-USA have reached a
point where they must be dealt with promptly or our organization may
wither into insignificance as the American branch of an idiosyncratic
Japanese sect.

Our intention is not simply to describe the problems we see. We
intend to establish a structured group that can channel the efforts
of people who are interested in working for the reform of SGI-USA.

Although this initiative has been launched by SGI-USA members with
the intention of working for reform of SGI-USA, we welcome the
participation of SGI members from other countries. We believe that
many of the problems we perceive in SGI-USA also exist in other
countries.


1. Autonomy

SGI-USA is controlled from Japan, contrary to SGI Charter Article 6.
SGI-USA must create and follow its own constitution and become
independent from Japan. We believe this is essential to our survival
and future growth in America.

2. Adulation Of The Leader

Excessive focus on President Ikeda in our publications and by the
leadership has given many the feeling that the SGI-USA is a cult of
personality based around him. We feel this is diametrically opposed
to the actual message of individual empowerment that is at the heart
of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This cult-like appearance severely
impedes our ability to effectively fulfill the mission of spreading
this Buddhism in America.

3. Soka Spirit / Temple Issue

Led by President Ikeda, SGI-USA has followed the Japanese Soka Gakkai
into a war against another Buddhist sect, with no articulated goals.
This has been accompanied by a long string of petty lawsuits from
both sides, sordid accusations, doctored photographs, etc. Soka
Spirit, despite attempts to clean up its image with a name change
from the original Temple Issue, is devoted to the elimination of the
Nichiren Shoshu. We believe that SGI-USA should disband Soka Spirit
and unilaterally end the war. The Soka Spirit movement's stated goals
of the elimination of Nichiren Shoshu and the expulsion of
the 'Nikken sect' (sic) from every country are in direct
contradiction to SGI Charter Articles 3 and 7. Legally and morally
Nichiren Shoshu has the right to exist in America.

We believe that this war gives SGI USA the appearance of being
another petty religious organization more concerned with winning the
battle of who's "right" than helping people to change their lives. We
are concerned that the focus of our practice itself has been changed
by arguments crafted to support this war. Arguments attempting to
prove that Nikken is the personified King Devil of the Sixth Heaven,
that correct practice now must include active participation in the
war against this external enemy, and that action against this
external enemy will lead to changes within our lives, are becoming
core doctrines of the SGI. This doctrine seems to be in direct
contradiction to the idea that our environment is a reflection of our
internal state of life and that the way to change our environment is
to change ourselves. We believe that Nichiren Buddhism's focus on
internal change that is then reflected in the environment is one of
the key ideas that makes this practice unique, empowering and
attractive. The war against Nichiren Shoshu and the arguments used to
support it detract from that message.

4. One-True-Sect Rhetoric

The declarations that we alone possess correct understanding of the
Law, and the idea that SGI activities and policies are exclusively
synonymous with Buddhism, whether one believes it or not, are
embarrassingly grandiose. This attitude appears self righteous to new
members, encourages hostility towards other Buddhist sects, and sows
the seeds of distrust and suspicion towards fellow members who do not
accept all aspects of SGI doctrine, leading to talk of traitors,
shunning of members, warnings of Karmic retribution, and threats of
the Avici Hell.

Our doctrines changed when we left Nichiren Shoshu and are continuing
to evolve, but the basic practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to
the Gohonzon, accepting responsibility for our own lives, and helping
others to do the same, has not. We have tremendous confidence in the
power of this practice, and feel that Americans are attracted to our
confidence, but are turned off by our disparagement of others,
and "my way or the highway" rhetoric which only serves to remind
people of the attitudes they most dislike about their previous
religious organizations.

In this regard, we support SGI Charter Articles 4 and 7, and
encourage dialogue with all Nichiren Buddhists, regardless of
sectarian affiliation.

5. The Undemocratic Leadership Structure

Top down appointment of leaders, secret decision making processes,
and a lack of accountability or appeal procedures, are not an
effective way to run an organization in America. We need a more
democratic, less centralized organizational structure, with more
input from the members, and leaders who understand American culture
and are willing to represent the American members.

6. Financial Disclosure

We believe that SGI-USA should adopt a policy of complete disclosure
of the finances of the organization to the membership. This is
currently the policy of SGI organizations in several countries where
such disclosure is mandatory, without apparent harmful effects, and
it is also the policy of almost all mainstream religious
organizations in America.

7. Publications

The format and content of the World Tribune has led to many members
declining to subscribe to it, and many of those who subscribe out of
loyalty don't read it. The cheerleading style of the World Tribune
has limited appeal to many members, and is particularly unhelpful for
introducing new members to Buddhism.


Conclusion

This group has concluded that for our organization to survive and
thrive in America major changes must take place. We wish to initiate
the development of a forum for open discussion of the issues among
the membership, with every topic being open for consideration,
including the role of President Ikeda. Our hope is that we can
provide the initial impetus for the development of a more open,
democratic, and bottom up organizational structure. We hope this
development will reduce the exodus of members unhappy with the
current structure of the organization, attract back many members who
left in the past because of those same factors, and stimulate the
existing membership to promote this Buddhism, and this organization,
with joy.


Signed by

- Bill Anker, Granada Hills, California
- Jean Anker, Granada Hills, California
- Rick Bluford, Ocean Springs, Mississippi
- Peter DiCaprio, New York, New York
- Mick Gregory, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Andy Hanlen, Long Beach, California
- Christopher H. Holte, Silver Spring, Maryland
- Norman P. McCormick, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Patricia Whitley Musgrove, Hampton Roads, Virginia
- Jerry Nowatzke, Forest Park, Illinois
- Dee Sutliffe, Niagara Falls, New York

NOTE: If you would like to add your name in support of this
Declaration, please send your full name with your city and state of
residence to:

SGILoyalOpposition-owner@yahoogroups.com


Action Plan

First and foremost, we urge all recipients of this Declaration to
pass it on. Forward it, post it to internet newsletters and
discussion groups, print it out and copy it, send or hand it to
members, leaders and friends, post it in local Community Centers,
distribute and discuss it at local group and district meetings, and
so forth.


Step One: Unify

We value freedom of thought and expression. We need many points of
view if we are to create an SGI where each person's values are
honored.

We have created a new Yahoo Discussion site named "SGI-USA Reform"
where people interested in discussing practical reform activities can
exchange ideas. To subscribe please email:

SGI-USA_Reform-subscribe@...

Or if you just want to take a look go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SGI-USA_Reform/


Step Two: Act

We seek to make contact with like minded people who want to work to
change the SGI. We can have no set agenda until those who wish to see
the SGI change come together, choose their priorities, and stand up
for what they believe.

In order to facilitate the development of local action we will be
asking for volunteers to become local contacts. To see if there is a
contact in your area go to the Database section of the "SGI-USA
Reform" site and look at the Database named "Contact List".

If you are a member of SGI-USA Reform you can access the database
directly by going to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SGI-USA_Reform/database

If you are interested in becoming a local contact please email us at:

SGILoyalOpposition-owner@...


Step Three: Endure

We must continue to facilitate the changes we wish to see in our Soka
Gakkai.

We have also set up a group which will be used to hold reports of
activities and information of general interest
called "SGIUSAReformNewsCentral ".

If you want to take a look please go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SGIUSAReformNewsCentral



We call upon all members of the Soka Gakkai who read this statement
to join with us at whatever level they feel appropriate to their own
lives, even if in complete disagreement with everything stated
here, and to chant with us to create value through this exciting time
to come.

May we all strive to think, talk and act with faith in our own Buddha
Nature, and with respect toward the inherent Buddha Nature of all
beings.